He became a national treasure last month when he won I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – and now sources say Sam Thompson could be gearing up for an even bigger 2024, as he’s keen to put a ring on the finger of his long-term girlfriend, Zara McDermott.
An insider tells Closer, “Sam is still on such a huge high from his jungle win and finally feels that everything in his life is working out. He has never been in such demand career-wise and has had so many offers since getting home, as well as receiving so much love from the public. But he knows none of this would be possible without the support Zara has given him over the years – she has really believed in him and given him that confidence to just go out there and be himself.
“Being away from Zara for all that time has made Sam realise how much he needs her and loves her. Friends are convinced there’ll be a proposal soon.”
Sam, 31, and Zara, 27, began dating in 2019 after the Love Island star messaged Sam on Instagram. They hit a road bump in 2020, however, when Zara admitted to cheating on Sam while starring on The X Factor: Celebrity. with their relationship breakdown playing out on Made In Chelsea.
But just months later the pair confirmed that they were back together, with Sam saying in an interview, “I think in any walk of life you can’t move forward unless you forgive. Forgiveness allows you to heal.”
Since then, the pair have been going from strength to strength, moving in together in 2021 and supporting each other with their various career endeavours this year, with Sam attending several Strictly live recordings and Zara regularly posting tributes to her boyfriend on social media when he was in the I’m A Celeb! jungle.
And sources say that 2024 – as Sam and Zara celebrate five years together – is the year that the popular duo will make things official.
The source adds, “Sam really wants a family of his own, and while he’s in no rush to become a dad, proposing to Zara and getting married is a priority for him this year. He knows he has to get the proposal right – Zara has already dropped hints about what s he’d like him to do and the type of ring she’d like.
“Sam is determined to make 2024 his year, both personally and professionally, and Zara is a huge part of that. He sometimes can’t believe how far they’ve come and knows they’ll both be super-busy this year thanks to I’m A Celeb! and Strictly, but their relationship will always be the priority.”
